In a recent interview, Atlanta hip-hop legend André 3000 shared his candid thoughts on the current wave of rappers, arguing that many of them “sound the same.” Reflecting on his multi-decade career, including his recent jazz debut album ‘New Blue Sun,’ André 3000 lamented the lack of cultivation time for today’s artists.
“If we were to come out as OutKast when we thought we were ready, we wouldn’t be around today ’cause we sounded like everybody else. We sounded like who we were listening to,” André theorized. He emphasized that the rapid rise of artists today doesn’t allow them to hone their unique sound, leading to a homogenized music scene.
André 3000 highlighted how even rap giants like Future and 2 Chainz took time to develop their signature styles. “Future came up in the Dungeon [Family],” he said, referencing the legendary Atlanta collective. “Future was rapping differently back then. It takes time. Even 2 Chainz. Tity Boi was rapping.”
He continued, “What I’m saying is, over time you develop a thing and figure out, ‘Okay, this is most effective for me.’ We see it and we love Future for what he does now, but I don’t know if it would’ve been as successful without that time to develop.”
Addressing his shift from rap to jazz, André explained that rapping felt “inauthentic” to him now. “If it’s in you, you should rap until you die,” he said. “The way I do it, I’m always trying to look for the next. I’m not trying to uphold what I’ve done before. If I can’t say things in a fresh innovative way, it’s not enough for me.”
These comments also served as a subtle response to LL COOL J, who had criticized André’s departure from rap. “Let’s not lie to ourselves: I don’t wanna hear him do the flute,” LL COOL J had said. André’s response was clear: his artistic evolution is about authenticity and innovation.
The rap community has been vocal about André’s decision. Ja Rule expressed being “heartbroken” by the news, and Lil Wayne found it “so depressing” that André no longer wanted to rap. During his 2024 Grammy acceptance speech, Killer Mike championed the importance of keeping hip-hop alive regardless of age.
André 3000’s reflections underscore a broader conversation about artistic growth, authenticity, and the pressures of the modern music industry. His insights remind us that true artistry often requires time, patience, and the courage to evolve.
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